Multiple connector tool



1966 M. A. STUHLER 3,267,565

MULTIPLE CONNECTOR TOOL Filed Nov. 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MAAr/A/ A.0570x4563 Aug. 23, 1966 M. A. STUHLER MULTIPLE CONNECTOR TOOL 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 6, 1964 IVVEWOIQ 30 MAET/M A. 5721/1151?3,267,565 MULTIPLE CONNECTGR TOGL Martin A. Stuhler, Lemon Grove,Caliti, assignor to General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona, Caiifi, acorporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 4tl9,522 12 Claims.(Cl. 29-206) This invention relates to electrical equipment, and moreparticularly to tools for simultaneously and quickly connecting ordisconnecting multiple electrical connectors.

The art of multiple electrical connectors is old and replete withpatents covering designs used in many industries such as transportation,electric power generation and transmission, industrial and businessmachines, and aircraft, military and space vehicles. A problem ariseswhen the electrical connectors are designed to carry relatively largeelectrical currents and the number of circuits joined by the connectorincreases as our technology becomes more complex. The higher theelectrical load carried by the circuits, the larger the current-carryingpart of the connector must be made. The mating contacts, whether they bepins and sockets or blades and spring clips, are made larger in size andwith a tighter fit to provide a good electrical path between the joinedconductors so as to avoid areas of high resistance in the circuits whichmight result in electrical arcing and premature failure. With thetighter fit, it becomes increasingly ditficult to connect or disconnectthe mating components without damage to the contacts.

Also, in some electrical arts, particularly in communications, where agreat many individual circuits must be made and broken frequently, it iscustomary, in order to save space, to enclose the wires, insofar as itmay be feasible, in cables. At the end of such a cable will be arrangeda multiple-terminal contact member or plug. A cooperating femaleterminal member, which may correspond in size to the plug, but may be inthe form of a large board, is adapted to receive the plug, and thus makethe various circuits. The terminals of the plug and the cooperatingreceiving member are so shaped and arranged that only proper circuitscan be made, it being impossible to insert the plug improperly. Again,each male terminal member of the plug must fit snugly within itscooperating female terminal member. It is thus necessary to insert themale member properly and the friction load is such that removal isdifiicult, and thus sometimes results in loose, bent, or twistedterminals which require careful repair before the .plug is again fit foruse.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide simplemechanical means for readily connecting or disconnecting electricalconnectors.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanical tools forconnecting or disconnecting electrical connectors wherein the forceapplied thereto may always be in a line substantially parallel to thelength of the male terminal members.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby amultiplicity of electric conductors may be simultaneously and quicklyconnected or disconnected.

Other objects of the invention will become readily apparent from thefollowing description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventionillustrating it as a disconnect or separation tool;

FIG. 2 illustrates the FIG. 1 tool in its inactivated position;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 tool taken alongthe line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates the activated position of the FIG. 1 tool;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention nited StatesPatent l Ce illustrating it as a connect or installation tool withportions thereof being cut away;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a view of the FIG. 5 tool illustrating its direction ofmovement.

Broadly, the invention relates to tools for installing or separating thetwo halves of an electrical connector structure. The structure of thetools comprises two jaw members, one inside the other, with each jawmember having a pair of inturned flanges, and a pair of plier-likehandles pin-hinged to the jaw members. In the case of the installingtool, the jaw and handle coupling is such that the inner jaw flange pairis longitudinally spaced from the outer jaw flange pair when the handlesare open, with the inner jaw member sliding within the outer member tobring the respective flanges together as the handles are closed, therebysqueezing the connector halves held between the inner and outer flangepairs together with a steady parallel acting force. \Vhen coupled as aseparating tool, the jaw flanges are adjacent one another when thehandles are open, with the inner jaw member sliding longitudinallywithin the outer member to separate the respective flanges, and theconnector halves coupled therewith, as the handles are closed, againwith a steady parallel acting force.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 14 illustrate an embodiment of theinvention wherein the separation tool structure consists of a pair ofjaw members 10 and 11, each comprising a pair of jaws 12 and 13,respectively; and a pair of plier-like handle members 14- and 15attached to and hinged for movement about outer jaw member 10 via a pin16 which extends therethrough (see FIG. 3). Outer jaw member 10 isprovided with a pair of arcuate or kidney-shaped slots or apertures 17through which the body portion of pins 18 extend. Pins 18 have headportions 19, which abut against inner jaw member 11, and reduceddiameter end portions 29, which are swaged or expanded in countersunkapertures 21 in handles 14 and 15 (see FIG. 3). Pin 16 is of essentiallythe same configuration as described with respect to pins 13. Note thatthe construction of handles 14 and 15 is essentially the same except forthe countersink of aperture 21 being on opposite sides and the handlesbeing reversely mounted.

In operation, the FIGS. l4 tool is used by applying a squeezing pressureto the handles 14 and 15, which move the inner jaw member 11 and jaws 13with respect to outer jaw member 10 and jaws 12, forcing apart a malemember or plug 22 and a female member or receiver 23 of a multi-pinelectrical connector (see FIG. 4). Male and female members 22 and 23 areforced apart with a steady and evenly distributed parallel pressure,thereby separating the connector without bending or breaking the pins ofthe male member 22, the parallel pressure being applied in a linesubstantially parallel to the length of the male terminal members orpins. The parallel pressure created by the tool is due to the cam-likeaction or movement of pins 18 within slots 17, pins 18 being fixed tohandles 14 and 15 and abutted against inner member 11 so that as thehandles are moved toward each other the pins 18 move through slots 17,thus carrying inner member 11 without movement of outer member 10 onwhich handles 14 and 15 pivot due to the connection of pin 16.

FIGS. 57 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein theinstallation tool structure consists of a pair of jaw members and 31,each comprising a pair of jaws 32 and 33, respectively; and a pair ofplier-like handle members 34 and 35 attached to and hinged for movementabout jaw members 30 and 31 via a pin 36. Outer jaw member 30 isprovided with a slot 37 within which a body portion 38 of pin 36 isadapted to move upon movement of handle members 34 and 35. As shown inHS. 6, pin 36 also includes ahead 39, which abuts against handle member34, and a reduced diameter end portion 40 which is swaged or expanded ina countersunk aperture 41 in inner jaw member 31. Inner jaw member 31 isprovided with a pair of arcuate or kidney-shaped slots or apertures 42through which pins 43, which interconnect handles 34 and 35 with innerjaw member 31, move upon movement of the handles. Pins 43 include headportions 44, which abut against inner jaw member 31, body portions,which extend throughfhandles 34 and 35 and outer jaw member 30, andreduced diameter end portions 45, which are swaged or expanded incountersunk apertures 46 in handles 34 and 35 which are essentially thesame configuration as aperture 41 in inner jaw member 31;

In operaton, the FIGS. -7 tool is used by applying a squeezing pressureto the handles 34 and 35, which move the inner jaw member 31 and jaws 33with respect to outer jaw member and jaws 32, pulling together malemember or plug 22 and female member or receiver 23 (see FIG. 7). As withthe FIGS. 14 tool, male and female members 22 and 23 are pulled togetherwith a steady and evenly distributed pressure parallel with respect tothe length of the male terminal members or pins. This parallel pressureis created due to the cam-like action or movement of pins 43 withinslots 42 of jaw member 31 and the movement of the pivot point of handles34 and 35 due to the pin 36 moving in slot 37 of jaw member 30. Ashandles 34 and 35 are squeezed together pins 43 move downwardly, asshown in FIG. 7, in slots 42 while the handle pivot point or pin 36moves upwardly in slot 37, thereby providing movement of jaws 32 and 33toward each other which movement forces or pulls male member 22 intoproper contact alignment with female member 23,

It has thus been shown that the present invention provides simple andeffective tools for connecting or disconnecting male and female membersof a multi-pin connector without damage thereto.

Although particular embodiments have been illustrated and described,modification will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and it isintended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as comewithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A tool adapted for connecting and disconnecting multi-pin electricalconnectors comprising a first member slidably positioned within a secondmember, each of said first and second members being provided withjaw-like portions, a pair of handle members pivotally connected to oneof said first and second members, one of said first and second membersbeing provided with a pair of slots extending therethrough, and pinmeans connecting the other of said first and second members to saidhandle members, said pin means being adapted to move within said slotsof said one member to allow movement between said first and secondmembers upon movement of said handle members.

2. The tool defined in claim 1, wherein said slots are of an arcuateconfiguration.

3. The tool defined in claim 1, wherein said handle members arepivotally connected to said second member, and wherein said pair ofslots are in said second member, whereby movement of said handle memberstoward each other moves the jaw-like portions of said first member in adirection away from the jaw-like portions of said second member.

4. The tool defined in claim 3, wherein said pair of slots are of akidney-shaped configuration.

5. The tool defined in claim ll, wherein said handle members arepivotally connected to said first member,

wherein said pair of slots are in said first member, and wherein saidsecond member is additionally provided with another slot within whichthe pivotal connection between said handle members and said first memberis adapted to move, whereby movement of said handle members toward eachother moves the jaw-like portions of said first member in a directiontoward the jaw-like portions of said second member.

6. The tool defined in claim 5, wherein said pair of slots are of akidney-shaped configuration.

7. A tool adapted for connecting and disconnecting multi-pin electricalconnectors comprising: a first member having a body portion and a pairof flange portions, said flange portions each having a protruding memberwith end portions extending toward one another; a sec- 0nd member havinga body portion and a pair of flange portions, said flange portions eachhaving a protruding member with end portions extending toward oneanother;

said first member being positioned between said flange portions of saidsecond member and adapted to move with respect thereto; handle memberspivotally connected to one of said first and second members, one of saidfirst and second members being provided with at least one pair ofslot-like apertures, and means interconnecting the other of said firstand second members with said handle members, said means being adapted tomove within said slotlilte apertures to allow movement between saidfirst and second members upon movement of said handle members.

8. The tool defined in claim 7, wherein said slot-like apertures are ofan arcuate configuration.

9. The tool defined in claim 7, wherein said handle members arepivotally connected to said second member, and wherein said slot-likeapertures are in said second member, whereby movement of said handlemembers in a direction toward each other moves said end portions of saidfirst member in a direction away from said end portions of said secondmember.

10. The tool defined in claim 9, wherein said slot-like apertures are ofa kidney-shaped configuration.

11. The tool defined in claim 7, wherein said handle members arepivotally connected to said first member, wherein said slot-likeapertures are in said first member, and wherein said second member isadditionally provided with another aperture within which the pivotalconnection 7 between said handle members and said first member isadapted to move, whereby movement of said handle members toward eachother moves said end portionsof said first member in a direction towardsaid end portions of said second member.

12. The tool defined in claim 11, wherein said slot-like apertures areof a kidney-shaped configuration,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,202,984 6/1940Drypolcher 254-28 2,486,851 11/1949 Jennings et a1 29-246 2,510,9446/1950 Auerbach 339- 2,559,845 7/1951 Blum 29-268 X 2,829,549 4/1958Demler 29-203 3,050,841 8/1962 Esselstyn 29-268 3,117,370 l/l964 Kauppiet a1 29-206 3,143,790 8/1964 Over et al 29-203 References Cited by theApplicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,172,694 2/1916 Flint. 1,775,564 9/1930 Goodspeed. 2,43 0,011 11/ 1947 Gillentine. 3,035,243 5/1962Bowling.

JOHN F. CAMPBELL, Primary Examiner.

THOMAS H. EAGER, Examiner.

7. A TOOL ADAPTED FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING MULTI-PIN ELECTRICALCONNECTORS COMPRISING: A FIRST MEMBER HAVING A BODY PORTION AND A PAIROF FLANGE PORTIONS, SAID FLANGE PORTIONS EACH HAVING A PROTRUDING MEMBERWITH END PORTIONS EXTENDING TOWARD ONE ANOTHER; A SECOND MEMBER HAVING ABODY PORTION AND A PAIR OF FLANGE PORTIONS, SAID FLANGE PORTIONS EACHHAVING A PROTRUDING MEMBER WITH END PORTIONS EXTENDING TOWARD ONEANOTHER; SAID FIRST MEMBER BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID FLANGE PORTIONSOF SAID SECOND MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO MOVE WITH RESPECT THERETO; HANDLEMEMBERS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS, ONEOF SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS BEING PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE PAIR